Donora man wanted for attempted homicide

Three bullet holes remained Monday in the front door to Ray’s Place in Donora, where two men were shot, police said. - Scott Beveridge
Observer-Reporter
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DONORA – A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Donora man over accusations he shot his cousin and another man early Friday at a borough bar following an argument over a woman.

Frank Ellis “Kimo” Tartt Jr., 32, of 1273 Marelda Ave., is wanted by Donora police on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, as well as a firearms violation, in connection with the shooting about 1:45 a.m. at Ray’s Place, 864 Meldon Ave., court records show.

Police accuse Tartt of firing six shots from a handgun into the bar from outside its door, shooting his cousin, Christopher Tartt of Donora, in the left thigh, and Jerome Pryor of Monessen in the left arm, the affidavit indicates.

Borough officers were standing outside the police station a few blocks away from the bar when they heard gunshots. Patrons were fleeing the bar in a panic when police arrived there and discovered three bullet holes in the front door and shattered glass and bottles all over the sidewalk, the record shows.

Police ordered the remaining patrons out of the bar, where they also found blood on the floor, the affidavit states.

A witness, Carl Jackson, told police he had seen two men fighting. When the fight ended, the witness said, Frank Tartt left the bar for a few seconds, then pulled out a black semiautomatic pistol and opened fire into the door.

While still at the bar, police received a dispatch from Washington County 911 regarding two men being treated for bullet wounds at Mon Valley Hospital, the record indicates. Police said both victims at the hospital identified Frank Tartt as the gunman in the shooting.

Christopher Tartt also told police his cousin had approached him in the bar wanting to fight over a woman.

Frank Tartt is awaiting trial in Washington County Court in a 2012 arrest by California Borough police on a firearms charge and charges of receiving stolen property and marijuana possession.

Scott Beveridge is a North Charleroi native who has lived most of his life in nearby Rostraver Township. He is a general assignments reporter focusing on investigative journalism and writing stories about the mid-Mon Valley. He has a bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master's from Duquesne University. Scott spent three weeks in Vietnam in 2004 as a foreign correspondent under an International Center for Journalists fellowship.